Pair arrested after trying to sell weapons

These are the rifles seized Thursday during an arrest in Sprague.Proived by the Connecticut State Police

Published April 04. 2014 9:00AM

Updated April 05. 2014 12:06AM

Izaskun E. Larraņeta

Publication: theday.com

Sprague — State police arrested two people Thursday who they say were attempting to sell two firearms, including a banned assault rifle.

Chaz St. George, 25, of 54 Tift St., Griswold, and Falicia Viscione, 20, of 252 Massapeag Side Road, Montville, were each charged with weapons in a vehicle, firearm trafficking, sale/transfer of an assault weapon, possession of an assault weapon and stealing a firearm.

State police said that Sprague Resident Trooper Randy Silvestri developed information that St. George and a female, later identified as Viscione, were looking to sell AR-15-style rifles.

In the wake of the Newtown school shooting, the state legislature last year banned the sale and possession of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines and required people who wanted to purchase rifles, shotguns and ammunition to complete safety training and obtain a permit.

Silvestri learned that the pair were driving and had the rifles in their car.

St. George, a convicted felon, is not allowed to be in possession of a firearm, police said.

Silvestri and another trooper approached the vehicle and found two rifles in the back passenger compartment of the vehicle, police said.

After inspecting the rifles, it was determined that one of them qualified as an assault weapon.

Police said that the pair had no legal right to sell the firearm, and that the gun was stolen from an acquaintance of Viscione. The victim did not know the gun had been stolen, police said.

St. George was also charged with criminal possession of a firearm and an additional count of sale of an assault weapon.

Viscione was also charged with attempt to commit a crime and conspiracy in the commission of a crime.

Viscione was released on bond and is scheduled to appear in Norwich Superior Court on April 17. St. George was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond pending his arraignment Friday in Norwich Superior Court.

Anyone who has information on this incident or similar incidents is asked to call state police at (860) 848-6500.